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Commissioner pulls proposal to repeal fireworks ban

LAS CRUCES - Doña Ana County Commissioner John Vasquez on Friday removed a proposed agenda item from an upcoming meeting that could have led to a vote to repeal the county's ban on aerial fireworks and firecrackers.

Commissioner pulls proposal to repeal fireworks ban

LAS CRUCES - Doña Ana County Commissioner John Vasquez on Friday removed a proposed agenda item from an upcoming meeting that could have led to a vote to repeal the county's ban on aerial fireworks and firecrackers.

Vasquez had proposed a measure related to a fireworks ordinance change for the county commission's first meeting of 2017, set for 9 a.m. Tuesday at the Doña Ana County Government Center, 845 Motel Blvd., Las Cruces. A "yes" vote on it would have led to a hearing being scheduled, during which commissioners would've held a final vote on the proposal.

The county has had the so-called "safe and sane" ordinance in place for a number of years restricting sales and use of aerial fireworks and firecrackers in the unincorporated areas. When it passed, the measure sparked controversy with residents arguing in favor and against it.

The proposed repeal of the measure appeared on an initial agenda released by the county earlier this week. But Vasquez said Friday he needs more time to review the specifics of the proposal, and so he requested to remove it from the agenda.

The meeting is the first-ever for Vasquez, County Commissioner Isabella Solis and County Commissioner Ramon Gonzalez, who were elected in November.